As part of International Women’s Day, we reached out to our colleagues and the women that we support. We asked them for their thoughts and feelings for their futures. This is what some had to say.
At school or home, I’m assured that I am supported in the patriarchal society we live in, whether educationally or domestically. Almost all of my keyworkers are women, and all my keyworkers, regardless the gender they identify with, are feminists, believers of equal rights.
It feels empowering to know that, and it makes me feel safe and empowered as a woman to know that everybody in my home life is actively believing and fighting in the war of gender equality. It’s disturbing to know that less than 40 years ago, this would not be the case.
Happy International Women’s day.
Change is happening.
I spent many years in the licensed trade as I had always wanted to run my own pub. I was the first female licensee of a local night club and the youngest at that time in my town.
Life has thrown me some wonderful opportunities but there have been many bumps in the road. I have lived experience of homelessness, sofa surfing, financial hardship, and the anxiety it brings.
I joined the YOU Trust working two days per week in Premier Crew to make a difference and give something back. I’m now full-time manager of First Point, a YOU trust service that provides Housing, health and wellbeing assistance to residents of Dorset.
A lot of the people we support at PARAGON are women. When I was a female support worker, it was incredibly rewarding helping woman achieve their goals. It felt like we were in it together.
I’ve been surrounded by inspirational female leaders who encouraged me to move into management and achieve my own professional goals. It’s like one big supportive circle. To quote Serena Williams – ‘Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another: we are strongest when we cheer each other on.’
My name is Karen and I am a Support worker working with Young women, empowering them to face their challenges, boosting confidence, promoting equality, self-love, self-care, self-acceptance, encouraging them to be brave, to be proud of who they are and to celebrate their achievements despite the patriarchal society we live in.